NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      DILI, East Timor (CWNews.com) - Indonesia has agreed to investigate the massacre of dozens of people in a church in East Timor this week, the United Nations said on Thursday.

      Anti-independence paramilitaries are suspected of killing at least 25 people outside a church on Tuesday in Liquica, although human rights groups say at least twice that number, including 20 children, were shot or blown up by guns and hand grenades. "The Indonesia government has responded positively to a UN suggestion that an impartial inquiry be undertaken to establish facts surrounding these killings," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said.

      Pro- and anti-independence gangs have stepped up their violent activity in recent weeks as the former Portugese colony prepares for a referendum in July on whether to accept increased autonomy or full independence from Indonesia. Mainly Catholic East Timor was invaded by Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, in 1975 and annexed the following in a move not recognized by the UN.

      Bishop Carlos Belo of Dili has said at least 25 people were killed by anti-independence groups backed by the Indonesian military. On Thursday some of the same militiamen attended a rally of thousands at their base camp in Maliana, vowing to continue their fight against East Timorese separatists.